A young Cuban residing in Manicaragua, Villa Clara, reported in a video posted on TikTok that she received an electricity bill of 356.25 pesos, despite the fact that power outages are frequent in her area and they barely have one hour of electricity every 24 hours.
In the video, the user identified as @izzys33 displayed the receipt and expressed her outrage: "Here in Manicaragua, there is never electricity, neither during the day nor at night, just one hour of power every 24 hours or whenever they feel like turning it on. How is it possible that I have to pay 356 pesos with 25 cents?"
According to her testimony, there is only a refrigerator in her home, and they do not have other appliances that would justify the charge of that amount. "This is really a scam, and we need to keep reporting it," the young woman added, who also mentioned that CiberCuba had permission to publish her report "so that this shamelessness comes to an end and the scam that the electric company has with the people here is stopped."
The video generated various reactions among TikTok users. Some suggested that the high consumption could be due to possible electricity theft by neighbors, while others considered it to be an abuse by the electric company. There were also those who recalled having experienced similar situations in Cuba and expressed their outrage at the excessive electricity charges amid ongoing blackouts.
Energy crisis in Cuba
His testimony comes amid a serious energy crisis on the island. This Friday, Cuba's Electric Union (UNE) reported that the country is facing a deficit of 1,600 MW, leading to prolonged blackouts in several provinces. On the previous day, the impact reached 1,615 MW during peak hours, worsening the situation for thousands of Cubans.
The main causes of the crisis are breakdowns in thermoelectric plants, scheduled maintenance, and a lack of fuel, which have taken 77 distributed generation plants out of service. In Havana, the Electric Company has implemented scheduled power outages that impact daily life and the economy of the population.
It is not the first time that Izzy has used her social media to highlight the challenges she faces in Cuba. In a previous video, she showed how she had to cook with an alcohol lamp during a blackout in order to make a tortilla. "Here in Cuba, eggs are 300 pesos each, which means I spent 900 pesos," she said on that occasion, also emphasizing the high costs of food on the island.
In other posts, she has shared aspects of her daily life, reflecting the scarcity of basic products such as cheese and beef, as well as the frustration stemming from the lack of access to essential goods. Her testimony adds to that of many Cubans who use social media to denounce the economic and energy crisis in the country.
The complaint from the young woman in Manicaragua highlights the contradiction that, despite the prolonged blackouts, consumers continue to receive high electricity bills. The lack of transparency in billing and the energy crisis have created deep dissatisfaction among the public, which continues to voice concerns about the situation on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis and Electricity Billing in Cuba
Why did a Cuban woman in Manicaragua receive a high electricity bill despite the constant blackouts?
The young woman reported that she received a bill for 356 pesos and 25 cents despite the fact that in her area, they only have one hour of electricity every 24 hours.
How is the energy crisis in Cuba affecting the daily lives of citizens?
The energy crisis in Cuba has caused prolonged blackouts that affect daily life, preventing food refrigeration, interrupting education, and hindering access to basic services. Families are forced to find alternative ways to cook and carry out daily tasks under precarious conditions.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?
Despite the government's promises to stabilize the electricity supply, service interruptions remain constant. The lack of concrete and effective responses from the authorities has caused deep discontent among the population, which continues to suffer the consequences of an energy crisis with no visible solution.
What alternatives do Cubans have to cope with prolonged power outages?
In the face of prolonged blackouts, Cubans are turning to solutions such as the use of electric generators, rechargeable lamps, and wood-burning stoves. However, these resources are expensive and not accessible to everyone, exacerbating the situation for many families who must adapt to living without essential services.
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